Hey Ho everyone! I am alive! Not that you could tell biased off my activity here on … But I am still here. For those who are waiting for me to update any of my latest stories, do not fear I have new chapters in the works, but I am in school and that comes first. This is one that I decided to write after seeing the new Beauty and the Beast. Which I absolutely loved! Also Lumiere is my favorite, always has been and always will be. In particular, this quick story was inspired by the scene where Belle is reciting lines from Shakespeare's Mid-Summer Nights Dream. The lines that she was saying were from Act 1 Scene 1, and the lines belong to Helena as a part of her monologue in that scene. All in all an interesting choice for Belle to recite, considering that the monologue is basically about how unfair love is, yet she will try everything in her power to make the man she loves love her instead of her best friend. So, an interesting choice, but at least it wasn't a line from one of his tragedies. I am a Shakespeare nerd, judge me if you will.

In this story I use abbreviations for some of the titles, mademoiselle mainly. Although I do also use the abbreviation for Monsieur. The two are abbreviated Mlle. and M. respectivliy. So if you see that in the text, that's what is being said. Now without further ado, I give all you my story. As always Read, Review, and Enjoy!

-BntB-

"Mlle.?"

Startled, Belle looks down at the now familiar thickly accented voice of Lumiere with a small squeak of surprise.

"Ah, forgive me Mlle., I did not mean to startle you." The candelabra apologize with a bow.

"It's alright," Belle tells him, recovering from the shock. "I just wasn't expecting to run into anyone is all."

"You are heading back to your room, oui?"

"Oui," the young woman confirms with a smile.

"Then perhaps I may walk with you to your destination?"

"If you want to, by all means I would like the company."

The two set off down the hall that leads from the West Wing to the Grand Staircase at a leisurely pace, a little slow for Bells preference but she can't imagine what it must be like for the metallic man to have to navigate the castle on five inch legs, so she tries to be conscious of her speed for her companions sake.

"Monsieur Lumiere?"

"Please, just Lumiere, ma chère ." The candelabra says as he beams up at Belle.

"Alright, I'll try to remember that."

"I am sure you will Belle, you have an excellent memory, if a head for trouble." Lumiere responds good-naturedly. Belle blushes a little at the comment causing the small man to laugh. Waving one of his candles he brushes the past comment aside.

"But it sounded like you have a question. Perhaps I can answer it?"

"It's just that I'm curious, what exactly is your position in the castle?"

"Oh I'm nothing special, not like Cogsworth or Mrs. Potts. I am just a servant, one of many."

The frankness of his statement and the way Lumiere says it brings Belle up short and she stops in her tracks, her brown eyes wide and mouth slightly open in disbelief.

"You look surprised Mlle.," Lumiere laughs coming to a stop himself. "I will take that as a compliment."

"I'm sorry, it's just…" Belle manages to splutter out before Lumiere comes to her aid.

"It's just that I seem to be right in the middle of things?" He supplies for her. When Belle nods, Lumiere continues.

"That's because I have made it a habit to be useful, and often that means I must be close to whatever is happening. Although," the candelabra snorts, "I am sure Cogsworth would say that I've made it a habit to be in the way."

Lumiere begins walking down the hall again, beckoning with a candle hand for Belle to follow.

"M. Cogsworth you see is the head of the household, he tells everyone what needs to be done and when it needs to be done by. I suppose it is fitting that the curse turned him into a clock."

Behind him Belle follows silently, her full attention given to the man-turned-candelabra.

"Mrs. Potts is the head maid, just one position beneath Cogsworth, and a simply wonderful woman to work with. Even Plumette is someone special in the staff here."

Belle does not miss the pride in Lumiere's voice when he says Plumette's name, and if asked she would swear that his candles burn just a little brighter when he does.

"Not only is she one of the best Maids the Castle has, she was the first of all of us to get back on her feet, so to speak, after everything."

"You really love her," Belle observes.

"Oui," Lumiere says turning his head as he walks so that he can look at Belle. "I truly do."

Turning one last corner the pair come to face the Grand Staircase.

"Ah, mademoiselle? Could I trouble you to carry me down the stairs?"

"Oh, certainly." Belle responds bending down to pick up the candelabra.

"Thank you Mlle. Normally I would take the banister down, but I am enjoying our conversation"

The image Lumieres words conjure cause Bell to giggle and the candelabra soon joins in.

"If I may Belle, you are handling all this very well."

"Oh, thank you." Belle says caught off guard by the change in topic.

"Ah, I do not think you understand what I mean, but that is alright."

Belle climbs – both down, then up the stairs to the east wing – in silence after that, nor does Lumiere say anything to her. They are halfway down the first corridor when the candelabra breaks the quiet.

"How is he, Mademoiselle?"

Lumiere's voice is so uncharacteristically quiet that Belle almost misses the question.

"He is…Healing." Belle tells him in an equally soft voice.

"His fever is starting to come down and there is no sign that his injuries will become infected."

"All good sings," Lumiere says solemnly nodding his head, causing the shadows cast by his center flame to dance across the walls.

"We were boys together, many years ago now. Back when his mother was still alive. We played together, got into trouble together. He taught me how to play chess; I taught him all the secret paths in the garden. We were as close of friends as two people could be."

Lumiere's face is as emotional as his voice is solemn and it is the most human the candelabra has looked to Belle yet. His metal brows are heavy with regret and Belle can't be sure if it is a trick of the light or a trick of the magic but Lumiere's eyes shine with sorrow.

"Understand Chère, his father was not a good man, and when his mother died many of us were too scared to stand up for him. I was too young, just a boy myself. By the time I was old enough to understand, it was too late."

Shaking his head Lumiere looks up at Belle with an apologetic smile.

"Forgive me; it was not my place to burden you with my troubles. Ah! Here we are." Coming to a stop in front of Belle's room, the candelabra gives the woman a low sweeping bow.

"And here I leave you Mlle."

"Good night," Belle responds with a curtsy. Lumiere turns and begins walking back down the hall when a call from behind him draws his attention.

"Lumiere?"

"Oui, Mademoiselle?" He says turning around to face Belle.

"Do you think he would mind if I recited parts of the plays I know while he sleeps?"

"He was always fond of books and plays Mlle., I think he would like that very much." And with that said Lumiere turns back around and continues down the hall. Behind him, he hears the door to Belles room open and shut, and yet another night in the castle comes to a close.